New Book: International Leaders Spell Out 17 Big Bets for a Better World

Can the fashion industry change the world? What will be on a Michelin chef’s sustainable menu in 2030? And can a digital identification significantly change basic social service in India? The book 17 Big Bets for a Better World answers these questions and many more.

A new book, 17 Big Bets for a Better World presents 17 bold and innovative ideas to reduce global poverty and improve lives. In the book, some of the world’s most renowned thought-leaders detail how we collectively can reach the global goals (Sustainable Development Goals) set forth by the UN last year.

From a bank president and a Nobel Peace Prize winner to an artist and Michelin-chef, the book presents fresh and credible solutions to the challenges humanity faces through 17 transformational ideas for positive change. The 21 authors for the book are available for media interviews. The book is published as part of the broader Big Bet Initiative to engage stakeholders around new and innovative ideas for global development.

A series of global innovation meetings for civil society organizations, innovative minds, and investors will catalyze action around the 17 Big Bets to launch on-the-ground projects.

Reviews of 17 Big Bets

“The Sustainable Development Goals embody the aspirations of people everywhere for lives of peace, prosperity and dignity on a healthy planet. To uphold our core promise to leave no one behind, we need action from everyone, everywhere. The United Nations looks forward to working with all partners to mobilize the leadership and investments that will turn this transformative vision into tangible progress.” - Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General, United Nations

“What drives the world forward is transformative and game-changing solutions and innovations. Leveraging the big bets of global thinkers, this book is an important contribution to the new Global Goals.” - Muhammed Yunus, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate

About the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The adoption of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals was a landmark for the global community and our global sustainability. Now, one year after the initiation of the goals, it is time to start implementing and realizing the new global agenda. One thing is clear: traditional development thinking will not suffice. There’s an annual US$ 2.5 trillion investment gap for the goals per year. The funding shortfall demands we find smart solutions, new ways to leverage private sector capital and activate civil society in order to achieve the goals by 2030.